The very next day the couple got the kids going and got to work. They had to leave early for the closing on their new home. Adam was chatting with Kevin and Jay when Kim entered from the locker room with a sheepish smile on her face. Adam noticed right away. "Oh no! What did you do?" He asked scared a bit. "What makes you say that?" Kim laughed. "Well your smile says you are up to something. Im just not sure if its bad or not." They watched her laughing. "Its not that bad. Calm down." She teased trying to drag it out some. "Please tell me we arent going to Canada?" He laughed a bit but was concerned. "Would that really be so bad?" She teased. "You know I love you but going fo Canada for shampoo and conditioner is not a sound investment. Now what are you actually teasing me with?" He was loving this game but wanted to get to the point. Kim rolled her eyes but schooled her expression. "You are absolutely no fun today. So now Im not telling you." She smirked walking away to her desk. The team laughing watching them.
"So whats in Canada?" Kevin asked trying to figure what was so important in Canada. "Kim is in a meltdown that the company that makes her shampoo and conditioner stopped selling products in the US. So she wants to go to Canada to get product. Its crazy to even entertain but she was trying to convince me by using the pretense of vacation with the kids. I get shes been using their stuff since she was 13 but its still not financially smart." Adam gave her a very knowing look. Again Kim rolled her eyes. "Well that does suck! Its hard for woman to find proper hair care. I get it." Erin sided with Kim which was no surprise. "Still not doing it. So what did you actually do?" Adam watched her thinking about it. "Fine! I may or may not have signed us up for a 5k on Thanksgiving morning." Kim smirked knowing he wouldnt be thrilled. "Really? That sounds awful!" He groaned hearing laughter around them. "Oh please we are so blessed it wont kill us to give back before we gorge in foods that some people wont have at all. Its for a good cause." Kim reasoned. He sighed but wouldnt deny her. "Okay. Whos watching the kids? Because our daughter is not going to be happy sitting in a stroller outside in Chicago winter for that long. I can hear the drama already." He grimmaced thinking about it.
"Didnt think about that but Im sure someone would love to watch them." Kim shrugged thinking about it. "We would be happy to watch them. They are great kids. No one here would mind." Erin suggested. "Thank you. We need to do this. Its for charity and you know how I feel about that. And I have slacked off since I have been here. So I really need to do this." Kim shrugged a bit. "Im fine with doing the charity race. But I do enjoy teasing you a bit." He laughed a bit seeing her annoyed with him. "Gee thanks!" She rolled her eyes again. "Did I just get the annoyed eye flutter?" Adam laughed. He knew she wasnt actually annoyed. "At least its not the deep disappointed sigh." Kim winked keeping the game going. "So damn true. You are very good at the deep disappointed sigh." Adam shook his head a bit. "With my family and ex husband you cant be surprised." Kim smirked again.
"God so very true. Thankfully we happy, laughing kids at home who cause too much drama." He smiled thinking of the kids. "Mia is going to freak over the fireplace. She will be there all day as long as its lit." Kim laughed thinking of her drama queen daughter. "As long as arent bitching about our feet being trapped in shoes Im all good." He shook his head again laughing. "Shes great otherwise. I hate shoes too but its life. She will learn. We all do." Kim shrugged moving on a bit. "So I need to teach you to make a fire. Perfect." Adam was shocked when Kim busted out laughing. "Oh hunny! Im an Northern East Coaster, of course I know how to build a fire. Last Winter I went through two cords of wood before moving here." Kim laughed at his surprise. "Just another thing that amazes me about you." Adam smiled loving this new thing he learned. "Oh I also saw a new winter sport to try. Its skateboarding but with ice skate rails. Thought we could try it." Kim was excited for something new to conquer. "Sounds awesome! Cant wait to try it." Adam was already on the computer googling this new sport.
He loved that she was looking for new things to try together. Especially since she had already done so much. "This looks awesome! I cant wait to try this. I know you dont know how to skate so I will teach you and then we can try it together." Adam was really excited. "Well we agreed to try new things together so thats what we do. Looks fun." Kim shrugged going back to work. "Kim what charity does this run support?" Jay asked. "Feeding America. Its a charity that feeds the poor all over America. Given the economy it's important." Kim explained. "Sounds good. Im signing up now. Least we can all do." Jay started typing away. "Im in too!" Kevin offered up. "Thats great! It will be fun." Kim was excited to have support from her friends, their friends. "I think it will be fun. Anything for charity." Adam smiled knowing Kim would be thrilled. "Hopefully its not too cold by then. I really would like a few more weeks of warmer temps." Kim sighed hating the extreme cold that was coming.
"Oh its coming. Hopefully a few more weeks but its coming." Adam smirked a bit. "Yeah I know. Just enjoying this better temps." Kim sighed as they all started to work. Kim was texting back and fourth with Michael since Michael has just lost an uncle but told Kim not to come out for the services. She was trying to fight back but she understood his thought process. It was a flight and a three hour car ride for a 30 minute service. And then the same trip in the opposite direction. It would be over the top. However she was thankful to know it had happened. Thankfully neither kid knew this person so she didn't have to explain it to them. It was truly a blessing. The full team was happily working away during the day trying to work through the case load. They all headed to lunch around one deciding to enjoy the slower day. Adam and Kim sitting next to each other. "Who were texting with earlier?" He asked as he had seen her face changing expressions several times. "Oh just Michael. His Uncle Bill passed away. He was letting me know and to let me know that I wasnt to come out for the services. The plane ride then 3 hour car ride for a 30 minute service doesnt make sense. It was also crazy because I got an email from my mother letting me know that my dads uncle Al passed as well. But Im not going to that either. She wont tell me the service details anyway. She didnt when Maria died. And she and I were close." Kim explained shrugging a bit.
"How are you feeling about that?" Adam asked noticing her lack of emotion. "Um its whatever. It would be tough to go anyway since I would need to be around them. But its fine. The kids dont know them so its nothing I need to explain to them, thankfully. I really just want to focus on the good. On the new house and not the crazy drama." Kim knew Adam would get that. "I get that. And thats what we will do. Just tell me if you want to talk about it later." He hugged her a bit. "I will but Im good." Kim shrugged it off. She was happy to just move on. "Oh lord my sister just responded that she was sad since he was such a nice man." Kim rolled her eyes. "Was he not?" Adam questioned confused by Kims attitude. "Um sure. He just played a part in myself and my sister getting taken out of the will. After my grandfather died Bitchiana changed the will. Never had it notorized but her Sister Rosie and her husband Al were ythe ones who witnessed it. Luckily they were still alive when she passed away to verify she wrote it on her own free will. But the moral of it all was we were taken out." Kim explained.
"Was it a lot of money?" Adam wondered. "No it was maybe 4k. But it was the principle of the thing. Thats what got me. The money doesnt make or break me. But the fact she purposely re-wrote the will to exclude me pisses me off. And I found out after I helped clean out her hoarded house. So just another thing to piss me off about her." Kim watched him process her words. "That sucks. How bad was the hoard?" He asked wanting to know more. "Probably level 1. The house was still clean, the trash was taken out, dishes were done. But she refused to allow my father to get rid of any thing else. Simply saying you can throw it out when Im gone. It was literally insane how much shit we got rid of. Literally 21 sets of sheets that were never taken out of the package. Bags of clothes with tags still on them. The liquor was so old it had the tax stamps on them. It was just insane. I would go back to Micheals each time with my Jeep full of bags of trash. My dad could only put so much out so much each week and at Michaels its a dumpster situation. It was just insane." Kim sighed thinking back on it.
Adam rubbed her back seeing she had more to say. "I saw then my dad has some of those same tendencies. But I could also see how weak he was. His hands shaking. He would akways say 'this will be too heavy for you" as he handed things down from the attic. It was never an issue. He had to open each envelope that came out of the attic. It was just old paid bills. I shredded it without thinking about it. I cleaned out her closets like it was nothing. I felt nothing cleaning out her home. I felt like I was cleaning out a strangers house." Kim shrugged thinking about it. "Makes sense given the situation. Did you take anything?" He honestly wondered. "Um some photos. Some letters he wrote her during the war. And a ceramic tree. The largest I have ever seen. But the letters needed to be saved since she shredded most of them. She said it was no one's business. It was private so when my grandfather passed she shredded the letters she could find. She hates that I have a family tree on Ancestry. She told my father that I needed to stop looking into it. I never understood that." Kim always thought that was strange.
"Huh that is strange. Wonder what she didnt want you to find?" He wondered. "Dont know. There were rumors about Bitchianas father was connected. But that was a rumor. I never believed it. It seemed too far fetched to me. Other than that I dont know. She always said not to dig up the past but she couldnt let go of the grudges. It seemed very hypocritical or ass backwards." Kim had no idea what the real reason was. "Very strange. Where did he pass away?" Adam wondered if they could look it up. "Italy. He moved back after his first wife died. Again its rumored that he remarried but I have found no record of that. So no clue." Kim cleaned up after herself ready to move on with the day. "Well one day we will find out." Adam shrugged a bit. "Not sure I care. I over all this crap. I just want to forget about it." Kim sat at her desk going back to work on her presentation.
The rest of the shift went smooth for the couple who left early to close on their new home. Kim had all documentation and certified checks to pay for the house. Adam had all the utilities set up in his name to start today. They were more than excited to have a new home together that they both picked and would create memories for a lifetime in. The nerves were ever present but neither cared as they arrived. "You ready for this?" Kim asked as they stepped out. "I cant wait for this. Im so excited to own a home with you." The couple shared a short kiss as they headed inside. The couple touched the entire time as Kim signed all the documents followed by Adam. Kim then handed over the check in return for the keys. The couple smiling widely as they hugged both with tears in their eyes. "Ready to get the kids and take them to their new home?" Kim asked smiling crazy wide. "Yes! I cant wait for the kids to see the new house. They are going to freak out." Adam hugged her tight then headed out to the car.
They headed to the kids school giggling the whole way. As they waited in line to pick up the kids they texted the team letting them know it was offical, they were home owners. The kids were overly excited to see their parents picking them up from school. "Hey babies! We are so excited for today." Kim leaned down hugging them both. Adam hugged them next. "Whats today?" Milo asked wondering why they were so excited. "Well mommy and daddy bought a new home for all of us to live in. We are going to drive over there now. We think you are going to love it." Adam explained as he sat with the kids. The kids seemed surprised but confused. Adam helped the kids into the car so they could move towards the new house. Both kids were talking the whole time as Kim drove. Adam was loving the family vibes as they arrived in fromt of their new home.
Adam helped the kids out of the car as Kim grabbed the keys to the new house. Kim unlocked the door waiting for Adam and the kids to catch up. Kim opened the door and squealed in surprise as Adam picked her carrying her into their new home. "Got to carry my partner for life over the threshold." He laughed placing her down in the home. Kim laughed as she closed the door, locking it behind them. "Okay kids lets look around." Adam showed them around the house. Both kids owing and awing as they walked around. They finally moved to the backyard. Both kids screaming as they ran around the new yard. They clearly loved it. Adam and Kim taking videos of the kids running around loving all the space they had now. "Kiddos we also have a pool. So we will get you both swim lessons so we can all enjoy the pool together." They had already looked into different places for the kids to learn. It was more than important to the couple.
"So what do we think of the new house?" Kim asked sitting on the deck stairs watching the kids run around. "So big! We love it!" Both kids were overly excited. "Okay well Im so happy you both love it. Now lets get Gunner and head home for dinner and bath time." Kim smiled loving how happy the kids were with the new home. "Yes sounds good. Im starving!" Adam groaned as he was always hungry. "Yeah lets go. Im sure the kids are hungry too." Kim smirked as they headed back out of the new home and back to the rental home. Kim got the kids in the car as Adam made the call to get food delivered. Kevin had agreed to meet the couple at the house with Gunner so the kids wouldnt get too cranky and hungry. Kim drove the family home hungry herself but also getting tired from a busy day. The family arrived home to see Kevin was inside already with Gunner. The kids were excited to get inside. Both adults got the kids out letting them head imside. Both kids screaming excited to see Kevin with Gunner.
"Hey guys!" Kevin bent over to get them in a hug. He picked them up holding them on his hips as their parents entered the room. "Hey Kev." Both Adam and Kim were loving how happy the kids were. "Hey. Hows the new house?" Kevin asked still holding Mia as Milo was playing with Gunner. "Its great. The kids are so happy with it. Its going to be a lot to set up but we are excited for this new challenge." Kim answered loving how happy the kids were. "Thats great! Well we cant wait to see it. Its going to be amazing." Kevin was very happy for his friends who have created an amazing little family. Had weathered the storm too many times. But always seem to rise above. "Its going to be great. And with Linds watching them over night we will be able to get the full house set up and ready for when they get home. Their room is the number 1 priority in both our minds. Hopefully it all goes smooth." Adam knew it could be a shitshow if he and Kim werent on the same page.
"We are all happy to pitch in tomorrow. At least get the furniture set up so yall have a bed set up for the night." Kevin offered knowing it would help them a lot. "That would be helpful. We could use the extra help. Especially when the fire wood gets delivered. We can all get it racked faster with the extra help. And Kim can focus on the specific details inside." Adam was thrilled to have all the extra help. "Absolutely! We will be to the here tomorrow to help pack up and move yall to the new house. It will be great. And we will get it all moved over so its less to worry about." Kevin saw the relief take over. "Thanks Kevin! Really thank you!" Kim hugged Kevin loving his kind heart. "No problem. We got you both. Okay let me start getting everyone ready for tomorrow and we will see you then. Take care, get some sleep. You will need it." Kevin hugged them as he left for the night.
"Okay lets get the kids fed." Kim moved to the door to grab the take out Adam had delivered. Both kids were seated when Kim entered the room again. She just smiled putting the food down as Adam got the plates and utensils. "I assume we are all hungry." Kim asked as she opened the containers. "Yes!" The kids cheered. "Well okay then. Lots of options to eat." Kim started dishing out the food to everyone. The kids were excited to see all the options. Kim loved giving them options to try new things but also just enjoy variety. Kim had grown up bored to death by food. No variety, no spice, no different ethnicity of food. She never wanted that for her kids or her family. She loved them too much for them to be bored with anything in life. The whole dinner filled with talk about the new house. However the couple knew it would be an ugly night getting the kids down for the night. They would crash hard and ugly. And no one wanted that but it happened.
After dinner both kids were taken up for baths. They were a mess and they wouldnt leave that to Erin for the next night. Both kids were laughing during bath time. They loved playing in the bath. Kim had lots of bath toys to kerp them happy and busy during the bath. The kids also had soap in different colors to paint the shower walls with. It was a great time. Messy but fun. Adam was waiting with Gunner as bath time came to an end. Both kids wrapped up in towels to dry off before getting dressed in jammies for the night. "So I know you are both still wound up so how about we watch a halloween movie in bed?" Kim suggested watching the kids light up. "Great lets go." Kim moved the kids to the bedroom Adam following behind. Gunner jumping into bed to snuggle with the family. Adam sighed not loving that at all but let it go as it only happened during movie time. "What are we watching tonight?" Adam knew it would be a classic. "How about Halloweentown?" Kim offered with both kids excited. "Not sure Bettlejuice is appropriate for them yet. And not Hocus Pocus. So this should be fine." Kim started the movie with the kids snuggled up next to their parents.
"I really love that you guys watch old movies. Its exciting and new. Fun. Its really great." Adam loved that she tried to carry on tradition from her childhood. "At Christmas the movies get even older. Just wait." Kim winked as he laughed. "I cant wait. Sounds like a fun time." Adam laughed loving his family. "Its a good time. We also do lots of old school Christmas music. Anything to bring back that fun holiday feel." Kim shrugged. "Well I cant wait. Sounds like a blast." Adam smiled leaning back to watch the movie. Adam was thrilled to see both kids falling asleep as the movie continued. It seemed like the movie was the perfect thing to chill the kids out before bed time. He waited till both kids were sound asleep before he moved them to their beds. He returned to find Gunner sitting up waiting for him. "Come on buddy outside to potty." Adam watched Kim following them.
"I can work on the costumes tonight for a bit. You can pick a movie tonight." Kim said as she followed them down the stairs. "Sounds great." Adam kissed her cheek as he let the dog out. "So what are we watching?" Kim asked as she sat with all the supplies. "Well since you like old school I think we go with Amityville Horror?" Adam watched her eyes. "Fine but only if we watch the original." Kim plainly stated. "Im good with that. I've not seen the original so that works." He watched her working away. "Oh and I will never watch Chucky! That shit gives me nightmares." Adam started to laugh at her. She was tough but scared of a little doll. "Dont laugh! The scene with him biting chunks of the moms face off while shes in jail is scary as shit. And it never dies! Its fucking scary!" Kim shivered a lot while talking about it. "Okay I promise. I wont make you watch it. Now lets start this one." Adam laughed a bit after that but let her work on the crafts. Kim was the queen of multitasking so this worked for her.
Kim worked away while she listened to the movie. Adam watched the movie intently since it was the original and he hadnt seen it yet. They were about an hour in when Adam chimed in. "This is pretty chessy with the effects but the rest is pretty intense. Good call." Adam watched more as Kim finished up the name tags. "The second through the 6th are worse. I think I fell off the couch laughing during the last one. Its crazy how bad the effects were." Kim laughed a bit. "Okay so I had no idea there was more than 1 movie. Thats crazy!" Adam was shocked. "Yeah none are worth watching except the first one. Just like Poltergeist was great but no need for the second one. Jaws was great. The second was a joke, the third you could see the cables moving the shark." Kim cringed a bit. "Sound's horrible. I have never seen Poltergeist. We should make that a priority." Adam kept watching the movie.
"Next week I promise." Kim stated as she worked longer. They needed to be done. Kim worked till the movie ended. Her hands killing her from working on Milos costume but it was worth it. "Ready for bed?" Adam asked. "Yeah Im beat. And tomorrow is a long day so lets head up." Kim got up stretching out some. "Was it better than the remake?" Kim asked as they headed up. "Um in some ways better, some worse. But Im happy we watched it. Come on lets get you in bed before you fall asleep walking." Adam chuckled seeing her yawning as she walked. "Im ready for bed. I promise I will sleep well tonight." Kim moved up the stairs ready to crawl into their bed. "I get it. I really do. We both need the sleep. So let's snuggle up and crash out." Adam helped her undress and get into bed. Her eyes closing right away. "Just sleep my love." Adam wrapped his arms around her hearing her breathing evening out. "Night baby love you." Kim whispered as she drifted off.
Adam falling asleep right behind her knowing it would be a long few days ahead for the whole family. But he couldnt wait to make the house their home.